Santa Clara County
Biographies
JOHN P. BABB
HILL CREST ORCHARD
SURNAMES: WILLIAMS, SHRINER, LANE
There is no happier lot in the world than that of the proprietor of a land
estate, who lives upon his acres and devotes himself to their cultivation---
that is, where the soil is fertile and the climate genial, such as is the case
in the Santa Clara Valley. That is the reason why everywhere, throughout the
length and breadth of the county, "hill-side and hollow, and the verdant plain,"
all are dotted with the residences of comport and contentment. One of these
delightful cottages, which bespeak at once both thrift and culture, is the Hill
Crest Orchard, near the head of Fleming Avenue, in the Mount Pleasant School
District, amid the rolling foot-hills that skirt the base of Mount Hamilton. It
is the home of Mr. John P. Babb, who owns sixty acres here, twenty-five of which
are orchard land, producing apricots, French prunes, and almonds, as also a
scattering variety of peaches, apples, plums, cherries, etc. All are thrifty and
vigorous, betokening at once careful attention and a favoring soil and location.
There is also a small vineyard, including Muscat, Black Hamburg, Flame Tokay,
Sweetwater, and Malaga grapes, designed chiefly for table use. The remainder of
the ranch is devoted to hay and the raising of live stock, water for every
purpose being obtained at a depth of forty feet.
Mr. Babb was married in 1861 to Miss Nettie Hetfield Williams, a native of
Cincinnati, Ohio. They have two children, Clement E. and Walter W., both at home
with their parents, and members of the Young Men's Christian Association, of San
Jose. Mr. Babb was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1837, the son of
John P. and Mary (Shriner) Babb, and is the brother of Rev. Clement E. Babb, D.
D., whose interesting biography precedes this. His father died when he was but
four years old; his mother died four years after. At the age of twelve years he
removed to Indiana, but four years afterward returned to Pennsylvania. When
eighteen years old he became a shipping-clerk in the commission house in
Cincinnati, afterward learning the duties of a printer; shortly he was promoted
to the reportorial staff of the Cincinnati Gazette. In 1860 he engaged in
farming in Jennings County, Indiana, continuing there until 1874, when he came
to this county in California and purchased the valuable ranch where he now
resides, which at that time was wholly unimproved.
He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of San Jose, being one of its
Deacons, his whole family being also members in good standing of that church.
During the war he was a Sergeant in Company B, 137th Indiana Volunteers,
entering the service in 1864. He remained until the close of the struggle, being
on detached service in the Commissary Department at Tullahoma, Tennessee, and
having charge of the books of that department. After the conclusion of
hostilities he received an honorable discharge.
It should be further stated that Mrs. Babb's parents were named John M. and
Catherine J. (Lane) Williams; her father was of a good New Jersey family, and is
still living, residing near Wrights, Santa Cruz Mountains. Her mother, a native
of Ohio, died when Mrs. Babb was quite young.
SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara
County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H.S.
Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. page 252-253 transcribed by
Carol Lackey
JEREMIAH B. CHURCH
Superintendent of the Santa Clara County Infirmary
SURNAMES: Brownell, Page,
Among the well-known citizens of Santa Clara County is the subject of this
sketch, a few facts in regard to whose life are herewith given. Mr. Church is a
native of the Province of Nova Scotia, and dates his birth July 2, 1829. His
parents, George and Annie (Brownell) Church, were also natives of Nova Scotia.
Until the age of eighteen years he was occupied upon his father's farm, where he
became well versed in the practical labors of farm life. In 1847 he left the
farm and learned the trade of blacksmithing, a calling that he followed until
1852. In that year he embarked on the ship Mary Merrill, for a voyage around
Cape Horn to California. This long but uneventful voyage terminated in September
of the same year, when he disembarked at San Francisco. Soon after his arrival
he engaged in mining in Placer County. He was engaged in mining for about two
months, being compelled to abandon the occupation on account of ill health. He
then came to Santa Clara County, arriving in December, 1852. His first
enterprise in the county was in renting a farm two and one-half miles southwest
of San Jose, which he cultivated for the next three years. In 1859 he rented the
farm of John Townsend, on the Milpitas road, north of San Jose, and there
engaged in general farming until 1868. In the latter year he took up his
residence in San Jose, where, in partnership with W. O. Barker, he engaged in
the livery business, they being the proprietors of the Grey Eagle Stables. This
business was successfully conducted for three years, when his failing health
compelled him to abandon all business enterprises until 1874, when he was
appointed by the Board of Supervisors as Superintendent of the Santa Clara
County Infirmary, a position he has held almost continuously since that date.
Mr. Church's management of this important institution is worth of notice. He
seems to be "the right man in the right place." His long experience, untiring
zeal, and straightforward business management have placed the Infirmary in the
ranks of the best conducted public institutions in the county. The records of
the institution are kept in the most systematic manner, for which he is entitled
to great credit, as the system was almost entirely inaugurated and perfected by
himself. In political matters Mr. Church is a strong and consistent Republican.
He is a member of Garden City Lodge, No. 142, I. O. O. F., being Past Grand of
the same. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W., and is trustee of the Grand
Lodge, which office he has held for the last seven years.
In 1860 he married Miss Emily Page, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Page,
who were residents of Nova Scotia. They have four children living, viz.: George
F., Arthur P., Lillian E., and Ethel P. Arthur P. resides at Los Angeles,
Lillian E. is a teacher in the public schools in San Benito County, and the
others are residing with their parents.
SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara
County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H.S.
Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. page 253-254 Transcribed by
Carol Lackey